Tennessee Club Owner Pleads Guilty To Campaign Finance Scheme

A Tennessee social club owner on Wednesday pleaded guilty to a campaign finance scheme that also involves a Tennessee state senator’s failed 2016 congressional campaign. 45 year old Joshua Smith of Nashville, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the solicitation and spending of at least $25,000 of so-called “soft money” — or funds not subject to federal limitations and reporting requirements — in connection with a federal election. That guilty plea comes just 3 months before State Senator Brian Kelsey is scheduled to head to trial after pleading not guilty to federal campaign fraud charges.